Step 1: Question
How big is the universe in relation to the size of our solar system?
Step 2: Comparison
To make the answer to my question more comprehensible, I will compare the size of the universe to the size of our solar system.
Step 3: Comparison
I am interested in this comparison because it will provide a scale of the vastness of the universe compared to our own solar system. It will help us understand the enormity of the universe and our place within it.
Step 3b: Mathematics
1. Size of our solar system:
The average distance from the Earth to the Sun is approximately 93 million miles.
2. Size of the universe:
The observable universe has a diameter of about 93 billion light-years.
To compare these values, I will convert them to scientific notation.
1. Size of our solar system:
93 million miles = 9.3 x 10^7 miles
2. Size of the universe:
93 billion light-years = 9.3 x 10^10 light-years
Now, we can compare the size of the universe to our solar system:
9.3 x 10^10 light-years / 9.3 x 10^7 miles
To divide these numbers, we subtract the exponents:
9.3 x 10^(10-7) light-years / miles
= 9.3 x 10^3 light-years / miles
Therefore, the universe is approximately 9.3 thousand times larger than our solar system.
This calculation helps us grasp the immense size of the universe compared to our relatively small solar system. It highlights the vastness and magnitude of the cosmos.
Scientific Notation Portfolio
Math 8 Q1 (Pre-Algebra) / Scientific Notation
step 1: Come up with a question you are genuinely curious about and want to try to
make sense of: (i.e how big…, how fast…, how many…, how far…, etc )
Step 2: Figure out a way to make a comparison that could make the answer to
your question more comprehensible
step 3: What is your comparison going to be about? Explain why you are interested in
this/why it would be a useful comparison.
Step 3b: Do the mathematics to make the comparison. This will require calculations
in scientific notation and, likely, estimation.
● Be sure to express your quantity in scientific notation and then make your
comparison
● Keep a careful record of your mathematics and thinking.
● Annotate (explain with notes) your calculations so that anyone looking at your
work can follow your thinking.
1 answer